In a recent confirmation, billionaire entrepreneur and serial adventurer Richard Branson said that he intends participating in the March-scheduled 2013 Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour, flying the team colours of Virgin Active SA.

It will be for the first time that Branson - the founder of Virgin Group - will have a go at the challenging 109km course of the cycle race, which will witness the participation of nearly 35,000 cyclists. Some of the noteworthy feats which Branson has already achieved include high-altitude hot air ballooning and a world record-shattering kite surf across the English Channel.

Revealing that Branson has been undergoing rigorous training for the race, Chantel Rall - Virgin Active SA PR and sponsorship manager - said that Branson was "tremendously excited" about his participation in the race.

The starting point of the race will be Hertzog Boulevard at the Cape Town Civic Centre, from where the cyclists will ride onto the N2, down the M3 along the False Bay Coast past the entrance to the Cape of Good Hope, over Suikerbossie Hill, and on to the Cape Town Stadium in Green Point.

Noting that Branson's participation in the race - which has earlier seen the participation of famous film stars and sports personalities - will be a notable accomplishment for the organizers, Race Director Dave Bellairs said: "We received confirmation from Virgin Active that Sir Richard Branson will participate in the 2013 edition of the Cape Argus Pick `n Pay Cycle Tour. It's very exciting."